Gum disease lansdowne, va is very common amongst patients of all ages. It is also simple to treat in its earliest stage. Still, it’s important to catch periodontal disease early and to treat it as soon as possible. In order to do so, it’s important to know what signs of periodontal disease to look out for.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

There are a variety of noticeable signs of gum disease that you can check for regularly. Some of these signs will be very obvious and easy to notice. The most common signs of periodontal disease include:

• Redness of the Gums
• Swelling of the Gums
• Bleeding of the Gums
• Bad Breath
• Bad Taste in the Mouth
• Loose Teeth
• Receding Gum Lines

Some of these symptoms will occur early on, while others (like loose teeth) will occur when the periodontal disease becomes more severe.

Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease is a progressive ailment, and each stage is worse than the last. Because of this, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as any signs of periodontal disease are seen. Below are the stages of gum disease:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common stage of periodontal disease, and requires very simple treatment. Often times gingivitis is treated with a scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) procedure. When a patient is suffering from gingivitis, they will often notice bleeding (especially while brushing), redness of the gums and swelling of the gums. Gingivitis is nothing to be afraid of, but should be treated immediately.

Periodontitis

At this stage of periodontal disease, the disease has become more serious. Real and lasting damage has begun, and patients will often need more advanced treatment to repair the damage—including surgical procedures and gum grafting.

Advanced Periodontitis

At this stage, the patient should expect permanent damage. This may mean teeth falling out, bone tissue loss, severe gum recession and teeth needing to be pulled. The dentist will do their best to save as many teeth as possible, but success is not guaranteed.

Treatment for Periodontal Disease

The most common treatment for periodontal disease is scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning procedure involves the use of special instruments to clean tartar, plaque and debris at and below the gum line. If the periodontal disease is more severe, surgery may need to be considered. If the gums have receded more severely, a gum grafting may be required.

Avoiding Gum Disease

The best way to treat periodontal disease is to avoid it entirely! In order to avoid periodontal disease, visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup. Also make sure to practice proper at-home care. This means brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth twice a day, every day.

If you notice any of the signs of periodontal disease listed above, speak with your dentist and set an appointment to have your dentist check for any disease. If you have periodontal disease, make sure to have it treated as soon as you can.

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